The Marshmallow Lighter

“Dear, what should we do about those close to us?” I asked, caressing a white mug.

Spike looked up from a drawing he made. He was using crayons, much to my annoyance; pencils and inks were more proper, but I suppose I could put my personal problem aside. Looking at the clock revealed the time to be 7:34 PM, I glanced over to meet Spike's confused stare. Strewn about the room were various drawings by Spike, all depicting me as I was; famous fashionista Rarity hard at work on a dress. The reason why I haven't told him to stop drawing with crayons was because the style and technique used to depict me. It was no pastel picture, but it was perfect.

“Well, I suppose we could roast the foolish lot,” Spike said casually.

Scoffing, I looked over to Spike with widened eyes. He had a toothy grin, fully focused on his drawings. His eyes glanced my way to see my puffed cheeks and bent brows.

“Ha, sorry... you'll have to elaborate on that a bit,” he said, sliding a crayon into it's box before looking at his creation. Smirking, he turned it around to show me. “Look, it's you, dressed up as vigilante!”

'Vigilante,' yet he drew me in that glamourous Mare Do Well costume. Such a shame that the costume had been used to embarrass Rainbow Dash... that is not a moment I'm proud of. Nevertheless, Spikey had drawn me in a rather seductive position; the model walk, hips proudly displayed, head held high... yet he looked at me as if he'd just drawn a firemare. He set it down onto the floor alongside the rest of the drawings.

“I mean, how do we tell our friends, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and the rest of them about our relationship? Let alone that we're sexually active? I want to speak to my mother and father, telling them that. I don't want to keep it hidden; that's treating it like it's wrong,” I said.

That certainly got his attention. He looked down, quickly gathering his drawings up and setting them in one stack. He placed the box of crayons to weigh them down. I stopped working on my dress and slid off the stool. We both walked to my small couch, and sat down. As usual, he held me against him, and we both sighed.

“I want to tell my mother and father that I'm sexually active with a dragon. That alone will cause many complications. Even if I never tell my parents, I want to tell Sweetie Belle so she's not confused. The poor darling would ask so many questions to others and then the word would get around.”

Spike nodded, sighing. “Twilight knows that we're together already, but not sexual. She's the only one I know that knows we're even together. Telling her we're sexual will merely cause her to give me 'the talk' or begin questioning how.”

Biting my lip, I caressed his arms wrapped around me. “Will Ponyville or Equestria accept our interspecies relationship?”

Spike shuddered, sending chills down my own spine. The very thought of Equestria deeming us a sin or condemning us was scary. Would Princess Celestia accept it? Twilight does, according to Twilight. Our friends would surely accept our love, but what about Ponyville? What about my clients? What about Spike's own reputation? Maybe Celestia will support us to show how dragon's and ponies can get along.

“I'm going to tell Sweetie Belle everything about us. I do not want to lie to her about anything or keep any secrets,” I responded.

Spike nodded, stroking my mane. He sighed, and looked down at me. “I can talk to mom, tell her that we're sexually active, and voice our problem. She can support us all the way.”

Having come to an agreement, we quickly resumed our previous activities before parting for the day.

[*][*][*]

Cautiously prying open the door, I stepped into Sweetie Belle's room, admiring the decor I was responsible for, before spotting the filly on the floor with a book laid out. She glanced up at me, and I attempted to smile. A smile in return was all I needed for confirmation before closing her door behind me. She stopped reading, obviously sensing I was there for a reason.

“Sweetie Belle, how do you do?” I asked, unsure of how to proceed.

“Uh, fine?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. She glared at be briefly. “You aren't sucking up for anything, are you?”

Waving my hoof and shaking my head, I cleared my throat, still trying to find the words. I looked around the room for inspiration, finding nothing. Looking down to see her waiting eyes, I sighed.

“Sweetie, what have you noticed about Spike?” I asked.

She tilted her head to the side while thinking, humming to herself. “He spends a lot more time here. You must be busy,” she said innocently.

You have no idea, I thought. Biting my lip, I shifted nervously. “No, what have you noticed about... Spike's attitude towards... me,” I said, making gestures with my hooves.

Looking at me with wide eyes, her face reddened, and she began giggling to herself. I felt nervous while anticipating her answer.

“He really likes you. Like, like-likes you. More than a friend.” She alarmingly jolted, rushing up close to me and staring me right in the eyes. “Please don't tell him I said that! He'll kill me, especially since I said it to you!”

Chuckling was the least I could do at her response. I waved my hoof, collecting myself quickly. “Believe me, dear, I know all about this.” She glanced up at me with wide eyes, seemingly waiting for me to delve into more information, spilling it carelessly for her. I was, of course, but finding the words seemed impossible today. “He has confessed...” She leaned in closer with a small smile forming. Feeling myself giggle, I cleared my throat. “And I returned his feelings in full.”

A smile grew on her face and she walked over to me, hugging me. There appeared to be some hesitation, all of which I ignored.

“Oh my gosh, I am so happy for you! When!? Where!? How!? Why!?” she asked lovingly.

This was where I felt the atmosphere grow heavy. She obviously supports our relationship, but what about us being sexually active? Gulping, I sat down on the floor, sprawling out without a care how unlady-like I looked. Sweetie Belle noticed this as she let go, slumping down next to me.

“Sweetie Belle, have you been taught the Birds and the Bees, yet?”

What was left of her grin disappeared, replaced with innocent confusion. She leaned back as she began to process the information. She looked away from my face, down at the ground as her eyes darted back and forth. Her breaths quieted down, and I bit my lip once more while I anticipated her response. I truly did not know what she would say, or whether she'd accept me. Her eyes locked onto mine, and her bottom lip trembled. She was trying to say something, but failed. I felt my mind grow heavy as time edged forward, and finally, she responded.

“You mean... you and him have...?”

I merely nodded in response to her. She stared at me with blank eyes, studying my face as if I had lied; any indication that I was kidding was what she was looking for. Once again, her lips trembled as she was going to speak. Her brow twitched, and I bit my lip again.

“That's sick,” she said quietly. Looking at her with complete shock and a jaw dropped, it was my turn to study her face for any signs of joking. She shook her head several times, gritting her teeth. “I know you're in love, but he's a dragon, and you're a pony. That isn't natural.” She stood up, looking down on me with disgust.

“Sweetie Belle, I-”

She raised a hoof, effectively silencing me. She shook her head again, walking around me towards the door.

“I'm sorry, but I told the Crusaders I'd meet them at the clubhouse soon,” she said bitterly before walking out.

I stared into nothing for a few moments before allowing my head to rest on the floor. I felt tears building up as the words sunk in. She thinks I'm sick. Curling up, I felt all of my fears and doubts building up again. Sweetie Belle thinks it's unnatural... what will my family think? What will my friends think? She raised her head, realizing something else again.

“What will Twilight think?”

[*][*][*]

Walking into the Golden Oaks Library reminded me of getting in trouble. The atmosphere was heavy, the one I was talking to was smart like a teacher and tough as a mom. On most days, I'd be thankful, but I was wondering if she'd accept our intimate relationship. I'm almost positive she will be, but there is doubt...

“Mom, are you here?” I shouted.

I looked at the stairs and the basement before getting a reply from upstairs... or a shout. After a few seconds, Twilight trotted down the steps and quickly patted her deshelved mane. Sighing, she smiled and looked at me.

“I need to speak to you for a second... or minute,” I said, ushering us over to a chair.

She glanced upstairs nervously where sounds of metal screeched slightly, and she shrugged, following me to the chair. We sat down quickly and I cleared my throat, trying to find my words. She almost impatiently tapped her hooves together, glancing upstairs.

I rubbed my claws together, feeling my face redden. I looked down at my lap, sighing. “I don't know how to say this any other way, b-but Rarity and I a-are... 'active,'” I said, looking up at her.

Twilight stopped fidgeting with her hooves and focused on me entirely. She had wide eyes and seemed to study my face. I gulped. The silence allowed me to hear my heartbeat which was pumping faster than normal. She nodded a few times without a change in expression. I bit my lip, patting my knees to pass the time. The ticking of the clock was absolutely murderous. Finally, she cleared her throat which caught my attention.

Instead of speaking, she wrapped her forehooves around me, patting me on the back of the head. I returned the hug, unsure how to feel yet the nagging feeling of motherly love was present. Why not entirely was probably because she hadn't thought of the correct words. She hummed delightfully into my forehead which killed whatever doubt I had.

“I'm glad you could tell me this, Spike. Not many ponies can admit to their mothers that they've done it. Typically, it takes pregnancy for people to clue in,” she said calmly.

A metal screeching occurred upstairs again, yet Twilight ignored it. I smiled, calmly rubbing her hooves.

“I'm glad. Rarity and I were worried of others accepting us. I thought you would, but she's unsure,” I said. Twilight looked at me with a raised brow. Sighing, I leaned back onto the chair, releasing my grip. “She's not sure that her parents will accept her relationship, let alone her activity. She's telling Sweetie Belle, but that's it. We're unsure that we even want the others knowing.”

Twilight nodded before clearing her throat... again. “Tell the others if you're comfortable. I'll support you all the way, and if anypony decides to speak out against you, they'll answer to Princess Celestia or worse, me.”

Nodding, I hugged her again, smiling. “Thanks, mom.”